FALSE PRETENCES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 24, 4 March 1942, Page 5

FALSE PRETENCES

PROBATION ORDERED

NATIVE OF WAIXUI

Charged that with intent to defraud he obtained from Samuel Collier stock valued at £49 19s by means of certain false

pretences,' to wit, by falsely representing that he was acting under authority from the Native Department, Herbert Williams appeared before Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., at the local court yesterday. Mr R. F. Smith appeared for the accused and entered a plea of guilty.

Sergeant M. Fnrrell handled the case forUhe Police and related the circumstances whereby Williams had obtained a number of heifers by •false pretences and obtained the payment. ! lie Sergeant stated that the . acrused had spent the money,

possibly a great deal being dissipated on liquor. ITe added that the offender was a married man. being the father of five children the eldest of which was seven years and the youngest only one month oldIn his opinion Williams was not a criminal, but more oT a fool. He had already been in custody for 1-1 days. Mr Smith slated that if a gaol sentence was imposed a hardship result for the man's family. Williams was a splendid worker and hitherto had borne a good character. Counsel pleaded for a te v m of probnHon pointing out that if restitution was ordered the accused's mother would undertake to assist.

That the ac?used was, according !o the Police, in trouble as a recnlt of liquor and that he should fake out a prohibition order was stated by His Worship, who named two years' probation as the penalty on the understanding that Williams prohibited himself and made restitution.